If you’re like most people, you probably want to keep your skin looking as good as possible for as long as possible. Fortunately, there are plenty of great products out there that can help you do just that. One such category of products is retinol.
This powerhouse ingredient works wonders by boosting collagen production and promoting cell turnover, leading to smoother, more youthful-looking skin.
However, with so many retinol products available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. We’ve rounded up several top-rated retinol products to help you find the right one for your skin.
BEST OVERALL:
BEST FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
BEST AFFORDABLE:
BEST FOR REGULAR USERS:
BEST FOR BEGINNERS:
BEST AUSTRALIAN RETINOL:
Best Retinol Serum Australia
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
Retinal, like Medik8’s Crystal Retinal, acts faster and more effectively than retinol because it only requires one conversion to become the active form, Retinoic Acid. This makes retinal a powerful yet gentler option, reducing irritation while delivering quicker results.
Crystal Retinal has an advanced formula that resurfaces the skin, boosting collagen and improving tone and texture. The holy grail serum leaves skin noticeably smoother, plumper and brighter the day after application.
If you have sensitive skin, start with or new to Vitamin A, start with Crystal Retinal 3. Unlike other retinol products, I have never experienced irritation or peeling and will soon switch to Crystal Retinal 10.
Retinal Concentration: 0.06%
Formulation: Creamy serum
Key Ingredients: Encapsulated Retinaldehyde, Patent-Pending Stabilisation System, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E & Glycerin
Mls: 30ml
Benefits: Minimal irritation, luxe texture, lightly-scented, hydrating and nourishing
La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum
The Retinol B3 Anti-Ageing Serum from La Roche Posay is a powerful, yet gentle, anti-ageing serum that has been specifically designed for sensitive skin. Formulated with Vitamin B3 and pure retinol, this serum works to resurface and renew the skin, targeting fine lines, deep wrinkles and dark spots for an even complexion.
Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) works to soothe and keep skin soft, plump and supple by improving the skin’s ability to retain moisture; retinol helps restore the skin’s precious moisture barrier. The result is hydrated, smooth and glowing skin that looks visibly younger.
Retinol Concentration: 0.1% pure retinol & 0.2% retinol palmitate
Formulation: Serum
Key Ingredients: Pure & Gradual Retinol, Vitamin B3 and Glycerin
Mls: 30ml
Benefits: Suitable for sensitive skin, combines instant release and gradual release active ingredients, not sticky or greasy residue
ALPHA-H Vitamin A Serum with 0.5% Retinol
Containing 0.5% retinol, the Vitamin A Serum from Alpha-H is particularly suitable for retinol newbies and those who don’t regularly use AHAs or other retinol products. This is ideal for anyone looking to avoid irritation or redness.
This serum works to renew the skin, exfoliate dead skin cells, and hydrate the skin. The 0.5% retinol supports skin renewal, tomato fruit extract for stabilisation and antioxidant benefits, and evening primrose oil to restore the skin’s barrier function and protect against free radicals.
Retinol Concentration: 0.5%
Formulation: Serum
Key Ingredients: Tomato fruit extract, squalane, evening primrose and macadamia oils
Mls: 25ml
Benefits: Ideal for retinol beginners, vegan & cruelty-free, minimal irritation, lightweight texture and fast absorption
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment
This powerhouse treatment from Paula’s Choice offers anti-ageing benefits and brightens with a potent blend of retinol, peptides, and vitamin C. The inclusion of licorice and oat extract helps to calm and hydrate the skin. The lightweight, fast-absorbing lotion ensures deep penetration without a greasy feel.
Retinol Concentration: 1%
Formulation: Lightweight lotion
Key Ingredients: 1% retinol (slow-release), oat, willowbark, licorice extracts, triple peptide blend, vitamin c
Mls: 30ml
Benefits: Controlled released formula to minimise irritation, potent high-strength retinol, complemented with hydrating ingredients, fragrance-free
Frank Body Rewind Retinol Serum
Known for its best-selling body coffee scrub, Frank Body has since expanded to a range of highly-rated skincare products. One of the most popular is the Rewind Retinol Serum which users have described as “game-changing” when it comes to delivering healthier-looking skin.
It contains 1% vegan retinol for skin rejuvenation benefits, niacinamide B3 to minimise pores and acne, and ginger extracts to soothe and calm irritated skin. Adding pea peptides provides moisture to the skin to avoid dryness and flakiness often associated with retinol use.
Retinol Concentration: 1%
Formulation: Serum
Key Ingredients: 1% retinol, Niacinamide (B3) Ginger extracts, pea peptides
Mls: 30ml
Benefits: Non-irritating, vegan, contains B3 and antioxidants, affordable, neutral fragrance
Skinstitut Retinol
Skinstitut always brings a solid range of products, and that includes their retinol offering, one of the best retinol serums widely available in Australia. It uses an encapsulated form of retinol that preserves potency while reducing harshness.
Peptides give the gel serum a boost and stimulate collagen production which gives you bouncy, youthful skin. The product treats acne by regulating sebum production and encouraging the skin to produce new skin cells.
Retinol Concentration: 0.25%
Formulation: Gel serum
Key Ingredients: Retinol, Peptides
Mls: 30ml
Benefits: Lightweight texture and sinks into the skin easily, gentle formulation
CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum
CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum is perfect for beginners, offering a gentle yet effective introduction to retinol.
This serum combines encapsulated retinol with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, reducing the risk of irritation while improving skin texture and radiance. It’s a balanced formula that enhances skin’s resilience, making it ideal for those new to retinol.
Retinol Concentration: 0.1%
Formulation: Serum lotion
Key Ingredients: Encapsulated Retinol, Chicory Root, 3 Essential Ceramides
Mls: 30ml
Benefits: Contains encapsulated retinol (slow release) ideal for sensitive skin and those new to Vitamin A, hyaluronic acid and ceramides to hydrate and maintain the skins natural barrier
Understanding Retinol
Retinol is known as a powerful anti-ageing ingredient, however, it has plenty of benefits when it comes to overall skin health and appearance.
We spoke to Kristina Gianneas, Dermal Skin Therapist at the new SSKIN Clinic to explore what this wonder ingredient can do for your skin.
“By promoting the turnover of skin cells, it effectively removes dead skin cells from the surface, allowing healthy and youthful cells to emerge. This powerful ingredient not only acts as an exceptional anti-aging agent by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but it also addresses pigmentation issues, and acne, and helps to smoothen the skin’s texture” she explained.
The Benefits of Retinol
Retinol is one of the most commonly used and well-known forms of retinoids used in the skincare industry. It is available in various formulations that are suited to different skin tolerances and do not necessitate a prescription, offering a convenient and accessible option for skincare enthusiasts.
Retinoids are a group of chemical compounds that are chemically related to vitamin A. They include retinol, retinaldehyde, retinoic acid (also known as tretinoin), and various synthetic forms.
Related Read: A Beginner’s Guide to Retinol – Everything You Need to Know
How to Choose the Right Retinol Product
When it comes to selecting the best retinol product for your skincare routine, several factors need to be considered. Here are some key aspects to keep in mind:
1. Retinol Concentration
The concentration of retinol in a product plays a crucial role in its effectiveness. Look for products with a retinol concentration ranging from 0.1% to 1% for optimal results. Starting with a lower concentration and gradually increasing it can help your skin adjust to the active ingredient.
2. Formulation and Delivery System
Retinol products come in various formulations, including creams, serums, and oils. Consider your skin type and personal preferences when selecting a formulation. Additionally, products that utilise encapsulated or time-release delivery systems can enhance the stability and efficacy of retinol.
3. Additional Ingredients
Pay attention to the other ingredients present in the retinol product. Antioxidants like vitamin C and E, hyaluronic acid for hydration, and soothing agents like aloe vera can complement the effects of retinol and provide added benefits to your skin.
Guide to Retinol: Facts, Tips and How-Tos
The Retinoid Family
As we mentioned above, retinol belongs to a family of retinoids, a term for topical vitamin A derivatives which include tretinoin and retinyl palmitate. That’s right, there’s more than one kind of vitamin A.
The strongest ones are prescription products like tretinoin, tazarotene, and adapalene (though over-the-counter ones also exist). Retinol is easily accessible and you don’t need to go to a dermatologist to buy it.
Retinol is one of the weaker retinoid products and thus, is less harsh. Despite its skin-friendliness, you reap the same benefits as higher-strength retinoids but sacrifice a bit of the wrinkle-fighting effects.
What percentage of retinol is most effective?
Here are the strengths of retinol, ranked from the most gentle to the most potent.
Best for beginners: 0.01% – 0.03%
These are the lowest concentrations of retinol. Start with this if you are not attuned to the sensitivity of your skin or if you’re completely new to using retinol.
Best for people who want more effects: 0.04% – 0.1%
When you want to take it to the next level, go for creams and serums with more advanced concentrations. If, after a few weeks with the beginner percentage, you find that you don’t have any telltale signs of irritation like redness or peeling, you can bump it up to a higher percentage. This will give you more benefits for wrinkles, and other problems, and you will see quicker results.
Best for people who can tolerate retinol well: 0.5% – 2%
This is the highest dose of retinol, which is great for tough skin that tolerates retinol well. You have to be even more careful with adding this concentration to your routine because, with a more potent dose, you also get more irritation. Remember, you will still get effects with a lower concentration, just at a slower pace, so go slow and be patient.
Frequently Asked Questions
There can be a lot to consider when it comes to integrating a retinol product into your routine. Finding the best product can depend on your skin type, tolerance and concerns.
To help clarify choosing and using a retinol product, Kristina Gianneas helped us answer some frequently asked questions.
What’s better, a retinol serum or a cream?
“A retinol serum and a retinol cream both have their place on the market, as it really depends on which option is more suitable for your skin’s needs” Gianneas explained.
“This could depend on the percentage of vitamin A in the product and how it is delivered. A serum could be lightweight and more suitable for layering in your routine, whereas a thicker cream with vitamin A might be more beneficial if you are new to vitamin A, or prefer a simple routine with fewer steps”.
She emphasised the benefit of consulting with a skin specialist if you are really unsure about what product might be right for you.
Related Read: 7 of the Best Retinol Body Lotions for Smooth and Radiant Skin
Are there any side effects of using retinol?
With the benefits of retinol, can also come side effects, particularly for beginners and those with skin sensitivities.
Gianneas notes what you may encounter when using retinol, “As retinol speeds the skin’s cell turnover when introducing it into your routine you may feel dry, flakey, or slight redness upon application. Using too much too quickly can lead to irritations that cause itchy, flakey, red patches”.
She noted the importance of slowly introducing retinol into your routine, “Use it only every second or third night and gradually build the frequency over time”.
“The full effect of using retinol consistently can take up to 3 months or even longer, so it is important to stick to regular use and have patience for that youthful glow you will achieve”.
What’s the best way to use retinol?
Along with building up slowly when introducing retinol into your routine and applying it at night, Gianneas emphasises skin protection when it comes to using retinol products:
“It is very important to be wearing SPF every day and even more so when using active ingredients such as vitamin A as it can make your skin more sensitive to the sun”. Broad Spectrum SPF and avoiding sun exposure where possible is a must when it comes to using retinol.
She added a final and important note to consult experts when it comes to skin and health issues, particularly for mums: “Generally, it is not advised to be using retinol if you are pregnant or breastfeeding however see your doctor for further advice”.
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